Ishiki tried to stand up, eager to continue his investigation, but jarring pain lanced through his newly healed leg the moment weight shifted onto it.
He gasped, catching himself against the rock before he could collapse entirely.
"Don't be careless..."
Alex's voice came from behind, already walking away. "It's not yet fully healed. It will take two more days."
Then he disappeared inside, closing the door, and once again leaving Ishiki alone with nothing but thoughts and paranoia for company.
'Well... that was awkward.'
Ishiki settled back onto the rock, rubbing his leg with rueful expression.
'I thought he would try to take advantage of me.'
The thought carried dark humor. He expected manipulation, maybe coercion and even desperate pleas—anything except this strange courtesy.
This careful distance that suggested Alex was either genuinely decent or playing a longer game than Ishiki could comprehend.
He sighed and shuddered involuntarily.
